LAWRENCE — Coming off of back-to-back bowl game appearances, and a bowl victory, there’s a lot of momentum around the Kansas football program.
Through the initial three years of head coach Lance Leipold’s tenure, the Jayhawks have accomplished things the team hasn’t achieved in more than a decade. That includes the Guaranteed Rate Bowl win last season. And now, ahead of the start of the 2024 campaign, they are set to contend for a Big 12 Conference championship.
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Here’s a game-by-game prediction for how the fall will unfold for KU:
Aug. 29: vs Lindenwood
Last season: The two teams did not play.
The buzz: Kansas has some things it needs to continue to figure out on both sides of the ball, but that doesn’t mean it will slip up in this matchup. With a new offensive coordinator and co-defensive coordinator, the Jayhawks enjoy the success they’re looking for in their first game inside Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
The pick: Kansas wins to reach 1-0.
Sept. 7: at Illinois
Last season: Kansas won 34-23 in Lawrence.
The buzz: It’s a road game against a power conference program, and a Big Ten Conference program at that, so there’s a challenge in this matchup. However, while it might take some time in the game to get there, Kansas will take control and leave Illinois with another win.
The pick: Kansas wins to reach 2-0.
Sept. 13: vs UNLV
Last season: Kansas won 49-36 at the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix.
The buzz: However odd it may feel to play a team Kansas just beat in a bowl game, the Jayhawks have UNLV for their second and final game at Children’s Mercy Park this year. This matchup doesn’t go much different, as Leipold and company set themselves up for Big 12 play with momentum.
The pick: Kansas wins to reach 3-0.
Sept. 21: at West Virginia
Last season: The two teams did not play.
The buzz: The last time Kansas went to West Virginia, the Jayhawks left with an overtime victory against the Mountaineers. Although by season’s end Kansas might enjoy a better campaign, a promising West Virginia team emerges with a tough win to protect its home field.
The pick: Kansas loses to drop to 3-1 (0-1 in Big 12)
Sept. 28: vs TCU
Last season: The two teams did not play.
The buzz: The last times these two sides met, TCU topped Kansas in a thrilling game in 2022 in Lawrence that garnered a ton of national attention. Fast forward to 2024, and the Jayhawks’ first game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, and Kansas is able to return the favor against a Horned Frogs squad that no one should overlook.
The pick: Kansas wins to reach 4-1 (1-1 in Big 12).
Oct. 5: at Arizona State
Last season: The two teams did not play.
The buzz: This is Kansas’ first matchup against one of the new members of the Big 12, and it comes on the road. Arizona State, however, isn’t at a point yet as a program to compete with the Jayhawks, and it will be reflected in the final score.
The pick: Kansas wins to reach 5-1 (2-1 in Big 12).
Oct. 19: vs Houston
Last season: The two teams did not play.
The buzz: After an open week, Kansas returns home for a matchup against a Houston side that has a new head coach. That new head coach, though, doesn’t stop the Jayhawks from picking up more momentum ahead of a rivalry matchup.
The pick: Kansas wins to reach 6-1 (3-1 in Big 12).
Oct. 26: at Kansas State
Last season: Kansas State won 31-27 in Lawrence.
The buzz: It’s been more than a decade since Kansas beat Kansas State, and to end that streak on the road in Manhattan will be challenging for the Jayhawks. But in a battle (hopefully) between KU redshirt junior quarterback Jalon Daniels, and KSU sophom*ore quarterback Avery Johnson, Daniels steps up and provides and season-defining victory for Kansas.
The pick: Kansas wins to reach 7-1 (4-1 in Big 12).
Nov. 9: vs Iowa State
Last season: Kansas won 28-21 in Ames, Iowa.
The buzz: Kansas is coming off of both a rivalry victory and an open week, and should have a lot going for it as it searches for ways its winning streak can continue. However, a resurgent Iowa State squad ends a losing streak against the Jayhawks and the Cyclones return home with a win.
The pick: Kansas loses to drop to 7-2 (4-2 in Big 12).
Nov. 16: at BYU
Last season: Kansas won 38-27 in Lawrence.
The buzz: BYU has the potential to have a significant home-field advantage, and that will be a challenge this year for Kansas. But while Jayhawks need a comeback in the second half, they’ll make that happen and return home with a much-earned victory.
The pick: Kansas wins to reach 8-2 (5-2 in Big 12).
Nov. 23: vs Colorado
Last season: The two teams did not play.
The buzz: This will be a highly-anticipated matchup, simply because of the head coach at Colorado that Kansas is going to be competing against. But the game itself will showcase how much of a contender in the Big 12 the Jayhawks are, as they send their visitors home with a loss.
The pick: Kansas wins to reach 9-2 (6-2 in Big 12).
Nov. 30: at Baylor
Last season: The two teams did not play.
The buzz: Jeff Grimes, Kansas’ assistant head coach/offensive coordinator, makes his return to Baylor after a stint coaching there. The Jayhawks play well enough to give him some satisfaction about this reunion, of sorts, as they set themselves up well in the Big 12 title race.
The pick: Kansas wins to reach 10-2 (7-2 in Big 12).
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Game-by-game predictions for Kansas football's 2024 season
